From Antarctica to Honeywell a Journey Across Science, Space and Business
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THE ŽENY
are the same, nor are universities
or individual laboratories.
If you had asked me a few years ago
whether I wanted to join a corporation,
I would have said absolutely not. I lived with
the prejudice that working for a company
means selling out; that the work is dull,
meaningless, offers no intellectual value,
and comes with an enforced 9–5 presence.
I was reinforced in this feeling by many
people at the university who swore they
could never function in this way.
After starting in my current role
at Honeywell, those prejudices were
completely overturned. The project I was
hired for is scientifically excellent, practical,
and deeply interesting to me. I work in an
inspiring environment with plenty of room
for personal growth. I value the flexibility,
high-quality facilities, and team support.
The sense of professional and financial
security is also priceless. I’m very happy
here.
What fulfils you more at the moment –
your role at Honeywell, your research
in space psychophysiology, or something
entirely new? What are you currently
focusing on, and what are your plans for
the future?
I believe I currently find fulfilment in both
roles. I’m very grateful to both of my
employers for supporting my journey
and allowing me to realise my potential
in both areas.
At Honeywell, I’m involved in the DARWIN
project funded by Horizon Europe.
The project connects AI and human
decision-making in aviation to assist pilots
in crisis situations and enhance flight safety.
At Masaryk University, I now hold a new
position as Assistant Lecturer. At the Faculty
of Medicine, which this year opened
the first follow-up degree in Neuroscience
in the Czech Republic, I am the guarantor
and lecturer of the course Applied
and Translational Neuroscience in Space
and Extreme Conditions.
At the same time, I continue my research
– for instance, I’m currently preparing for
a study conducted in collaboration with
Dr Suzanne Bell from NASA’s Behavioral
Health and Performance Laboratory.
The study focuses on identifying factors
influencing operationally relevant
performance during a 100-day simulated
space mission organised by the European
Space Agency (ESA) in cooperation with
the German Aerospace Center (DLR).
As for my future plans – those are written
in the stars.
What, in your view, stops young women
scientists from finding opportunities
outside academia? Do you see
anything that could change
to bring more of them in?
First of all, I’d like to note that the obstacles will
differ depending on the field (for example,
the situation will be different in biochemistry,
From an arts-focused grammar school, through studies
in anthropology and environmental physiology, to research
of Antarcca and simulated space missions — that
is the path of Dr Lucie Ráčková. A Forbes 30 Under 30
alumna and a member of The Explorers Club, she now
collaborates with both ESA and NASA. She works
at Honeywell and at Masaryk University.
Foto: Hope Byrd